Wallpaper steamers



Nov. 24, 1964 w. A. PRAIN WALLPAPER STEAMERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 -INVENTOR. W/zL/sAPRn/n BY Ari-onus):

Nov. 24, 1964 w. A. PRAIN WALLPAPER STEAMERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 FIG. 2

INVENTORQ M/a L 15/4. PRA m ATTQRNEKT Nov. 24, 1964 w. A. PRAIN 3,158,139

WALLPAPER STEAMERS Filed Jan. 29, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV EN TOR. MLL/sAPRA/N ArroRA/EYJ W. A. PRAIN WALLPAPER STEAMERS Nov. 24, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 29, 1962 FIG.5

United States Patent '0 3,158,139 VJALELPA'PERSTEAIVEERS Willis A. Frain, R6. Box 421, Excelsior, 'Minn. Filedfiah. 29, 1962,8122. No. 169,521 12 Claims. oi. izz-ssa) This invention relates .to new and useful improvements in wallpaper steamers and particularly to a small portable-device of this general type which provides desirable lightness and compactness, thereby enabling it to be readily moved about from place to place, and which employs a liquid fuel burner.

As in any line of endeavor, there is in the wallpaper removing art a constant striving to accomplish a particularresult-as simply and inexpensively, yet effectively, as possible. It is this striv'mg, together with the need and desire to eliminate the inconveniences and shortcomings evident in most of the wallpaper steamers .now available on the market, that has given rise to this invention.

It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a readily .cairyablesteamer of improved design :and utility and in which all of the inconveniences and shortcomings inherent in most such devices now in common use, have been eliminated, resulting in a highly eflicient and practical device of this general type.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision :of a wallpaper steamer which includes a boiler having a simple design, employing a minimum of parts,

although furnishing increased capacity.

A further object of this invention is .to'provide a wallpaper steamer-having boiler heating means which utilize an open-top liquid fuel burner thereby providing several advantages inherent in such heating means, namely, rapid and efiicient heating together with odorless, noiseless,

hazardless operative features.

pump of the boiler heating means according to this invention may be independently operated.

A further object or" this invention resides in the provision of an enclosing structure or housing which provides necessary functional strength and compactness, yet may be readily assembled and disassembled.

- Still further objectives resides in the means disclosed for insuring proper activation of the low water control means, the unity and overall eyeaappeal of the composite apparatus, the constructional details of the "boiler and the boiler heating means, and the constructional cooperation of the var'iouselements .in combination.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this invention then comprises the features hereinafter -fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth in detail certain ilhistra'tive embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

3,158,139 Patented Nov. 24, 19%! the open-top burner which aresituated on the upper fiat surface of the liquid fuel tank; 7

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged elevational view, partly broken away, of the rotary fuel pump assembly in operative engagement with the fuel supply and its .constructural cooperation with the open-top burner according to this invention; and

FlGURE 5 isla fragmentary enlarged top plan, partly broken away, on the line55 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of thearrows, showing the temperature sensitive control means for automatically interrupting the flow of electrical energy to the fuel pump assembly when the water in the 'boiler reaches low level.

Refe'rrin'gto the drawings andipart'icularly toFlGURE 1, there -is shown, partially inisection, the fully assembled wallpaper steamer which, generally, comprises a boiler,

indicated generally at'9,'1supportedly situated on the .top of housing structure 11' which encloses the boiler heating apparatus 12. The boiler heating apparatus cooperates to furnish combustible vapor burning with an intense blue flame in a cylindrical burner 14, which in .turn heats water contained 'in boiler chamber '15 to provide steam under pressure which exists through a suitable outlet fitting 16 having conduit 17 connected thereto. Conduit 17, in turn, connects to a wall-steaming pan, not shown, for delivery of the steam to the surface of the paper to be removed.

Although the design of the boiler is subject to some variation, as shown by the preferred embodiment of FIGURES l and 2, it resembles the general configuration "of a common rural mailbox. It includes front and rear the upright f-walls 19-21 of the boiler. A distinguishable feature of the contour of wall 'is that it provides an upwardly spaced flat platform 25 having sloping or inclined portions 26 contiguous with its outermost perimeter, the purpose of which will be clearly understood as -the description proceeds. The housing structure ill is detachably secured to the boiler :by means of clamping levers .27 which register with and engage apertured vertical flange members 28 secured at the base of each end wall 18 and 19. The upper marginal edges of the housing are of slightly larger dimensions than the .walls of the boiler to permit the boiler to be easily positioned in a recess on the top'of the housing. I p p H The boiler heating apparatus12 for bringing the water in chamber '15 to boiling temperature, is shown comciated, the fuel tank, itself, which is of rectangular configuration, Constitutes the supporting base for all the elements of the boiler heating means. In this manner a larger capacity fuel tank is accomplished without congesting the various elements of the boiler heating means with a bulky tank structure, as was, heretofore, commonly done. The fuel tank 32 is conveniently filled by adding the fuel to the inclined conduit 34 which protrudes slightly outward from housing ll in readily accessible position. A detachable cap 35 is provided at its upper end.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, the fuel pump assembly 29 is driven by a small motor 36 with its rotary axis being disposed vertically. The assembly is mounted to be in sealed operative engagementwith the fuel contained in tank 32. Supported axially within burner 14 is fire pot 37 which is inserted within the burner and is supported upon flat circular support 38 comprising the bottom of rigid inner cylindrical partition 39. Fire pot 37 is shown having imperforate lower walls 37A, perforated upper walls 373, and a bottom fuel inlet aperture 37C which registers with aperture 38A provided in circular support 38. Asbestos lining 37D is shown contained within the fire pot 37. The fuel enters the fire pot through the apertures thus provided and is supplied thereto under pressure by fuel pump assembly 29, through pipe 46, fitting 41, and pipe 42. The burner and the burner pot are of conventional construction, including the asbestos wicking therein, as well known in the art.

A sump 43 is provided in tank 32 situated directly under the pump assembly whereby there is provided a suitable reservoir or supply of fuel. The correct level of fuel is maintained by overflow pipe 44 to prevent flooding of the burner. Surplus fuel supplied to the fitting 41 returns through pipe 44 to tank 32.

Forcibly blown air to produce a combustible fuel mixture is supplied to the fire pot 37 from the blower assembly 3%, being driven by a motor 45, through the air duct 31. A feature of the air duct resides in the provision of several small apertures 46 which divert some of the pass ing air onto the motor 36 of the pump assembly to avoid over-heating thereof.

A simple and effective heat control device is provided for varying the volume of the passing air. The control device comprises an elongated bar 47 having a small operating lever 48 that is in readily accessible, operative position outside the housing structure at one end thereof and having a pivotally mounted flapper 49 secured at its opposite end. The flapper 49 assumes an off or closed position when it seals air inlet St to prevent atmospheric air from entering the blower. The flapper assumes an on or fully opened position when pivoted to allow unrestricted flow of the air into the inlet. 50. By means of spring 51 upon shaft 47, inadvertent movement of the control device is prevented. As is readily understood, movement of the flapper 49 from the closed to the open position, causes a proportionate increase in the volume of the forcibly blown air which similarly causes an increase in the intensity of the flame in the fire pct 37.

It is to be noted that the entire boiler heating apparatus 12 in combination with the fuel tank, is readily removable from the housing 11. The housing 11 is preferably a cage-like structure with a open front end whereby the composite boiler heater apparatus telescopedly engages the housing structure through the open end thereof and is adapted to rest upon angle supports 52 disposed laterally on the floor of the housing. To remove the heating apparatus from housing 11, such as when servicing is necessary, it may be easily slid outwardly therefrom in a direction to the right as viewed in FIGURE 1.

A wall panel 54 is secured to the fuel tank 32. at its forward end by suitable angular corner supports 55. As shown, the marginal edges of wall panel register with the marginal edges of the open end of the housing structure to provide a completed enclosure when the boiler heat ing apparatus is in place within the housing.

Electrical wires 56 in cooperation with power inlet wire 57 adapted to be connected to any electrical outlet supply the necessary electrical energy to the fuel pump motor 36 and the blower motor 45. Secured to wall panel 54 is a cantilevered housing 58 which includes a tilted face 59 having switches 68 mounted thereon for independently controlling the operation of each of the motors. Pilot light 61 is provided near the switches to indicate when the fuel pump switch is on and fuel is being pumped into the fire pot, in other words, that the pump assembly is in operation. Also, the tilted face is preferably provided with an inscribed instruction plate which instructs the operator as to the necessary manipulative steps to operate the wallpaper steamer. Thus, the titled face serves as a control and instruction panel, which is situated for convenient operation of the switches. To prevent conduction of heat from the boiler to the housing there is shown an insulator board 62 interposed on the top of housing 11 between the housing and boiler. Additional protection is optionally afforded by including asbestos strips 63 which line the marginal portions of the housing.

Insulator board 62 and the top wall 64 of the housing 11 are both apertured to receive a heat deflecting member 65 being secured by screws 66 to the top of insulator board 62 and having a cylindrical section 67 adapted to telescope downwardly over the top of the open-top burner 1 Deflector member 65 extends longitudinally within an inner chamber .68 enclosed substantially by the top surface of insulator board 62 and the bottom wall 24 of the boiler. Member 65 has inwardly inclined flange members 69 on three sides which project upwardly into inner chamber 6%. Member 65 directs a portion of the heat currents rearwardly in chamber 68 to promote uniform heating of the boiler, a portion of the heat also being conducted through the metal wall of the deflector member. Also, in this manner, the main heat currents are directed away from the thermostatic elements, hereinbelow described.

Temperature sensitive means is provided for automatically interrupting the flow of electrical energy to the fuel pump motor 36 when the water in the boiler drops to low level. Such means is shown comprising a rod 70, disposed within the boiler, having a flanged forward end 71 welded into the forward end wall 18 of the boiler and an opposite rear end 72, which is secured to the top of a small cylindrical dome 74 integrally formed from the bottom wall 24 of the boiler. The outside surface of the flanged end 71 of the rod is in operative engagement with a ball contact 75 which forms part of a heat control switch enclosed in a resiliently mounted housing 76. End wall 18 curves outward slightly to insure contacting engagement between the rod and the ball contact. Housing 76 is secured at its base to wall panel 14 by screws or similar means and is so mounted that it resiliently urges the ball contact 75 into constant engagement with end 71 of the rod.

The rod 7t) and ball contact 75 are composed of suitable heat conductive metal, such as copper, whereby a temperature change within the boiler causes a proportionate change in the heat being transferred by the rod to the ball contact of the heat control switch. Thus, as is readily understood, the increase in temperature within the boiler when the water reaches low level, thereby causing an increase in heat flowing through the rod to the ball contact, results in causing the normally-closed heat control switch to open and the fuel pump motor 36 to cease pumping fuel to the fire pct 37. Shutting off the fuel causes the flame within the pot to die out, thereby rendering it impossible to over-heat the near-empty boiler. The need for a water gauge has been eliminated. To close the heat control switch when it is desirous to re start the cycle again, such as after refilling the boiler, a

push button 77 is provided which is conveniently situated in readily accessible position-on the top of housing 76. Actuation of push button 77 is indicated by pilot light 61.

In order to insure proper control when the water reaches low level, there is provided bafile plate 78 -interposed between the rod 70 and the bottom 24 of the boiler, which prevents boiling water from splashing upwardly onto the rod. As 'shown, "the baffle plate '78 extends the width of the boiler chamber and is preferably welded at the corners 79 in spaced relation to the raised flat platform of the bottom wall of the boiler. The plate 78 is provided with a flanged end 80 which is bent to engage the dome 74 as shown. As will be understood, boiling water splashing upon the rod when the water is near low level would result in an incorrect re- I sponse by the temperature sensitive element herein described.

Suitable means is provided for conveying the exhaust gases to the atmosphere while realizing maximum heat exchange between the gases and boiler Water, and such means comprises an outer flue 31 extending vertically through the boiler and being in intercommunicating relation with chamber 68 and the atmosphere. Axially supported within flue 81 is inner flue 82 secured thereto by lower rigid retainer ring 84 and upper rigid retainer ring 85. Inner flue 82 and upper retainer ring 85 are provided with evenly spaced apertures 86 and 87, respectively, which permit diffusion of the gases into and out of the annular space existing between the inner and outer flues. The upper retainer ring is also provided with a centrally disposed aperture 88 which permits gas within the inner flue 82 to exit axially. Outer flue 81 is purposely extended beyond the top of the boiler to provide an annular projection 89 adapted to receive muffle cap 90, rigidly secured thereto by screws 91. The rnuflle cap 96 has spaced arcuate openings 92 that additionally diffuse the gases. The composite structure herein disclosed for conveying the waste gases to the atmosphere has been found highly effective for deadening the noise of the escaping gases.

The upper wall 22 of the boiler is further provided with a water inlet. Water inlet cap 94 is detachably secured to an annular female connection 95 secured to the top of the boiler. A depth indicator 96 is aligned with the opening provided for filling the boiler with water, whereby the individual filling the chamber adds water until the level reaches the bottom of the indicator. The cap 94 functions as a pop-off safety cap.

It is to be readily appreciated that the composite ap paratus of the present invention is of suificient lightness and compactness to be readily carried about from place to place. To accomplish such there is secured to the top of the boiler a carrying handle 97 whereby the entire apparatus may be conveniently carried with one hand, when the apparatus is in use, or when transporting it from one place to another. Rubber foot disks 98 are secured to the bottom of the housing for protection of the floor.

There is provided a wallpaper steamer of improved versatility and design which is highly eflicient and practical in use, and which fulfills the foregoing listed objectives, as well as others.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by way of example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wallpaper steamer of improved design and compactness comprising a boiler consisting of front and rear end walls, left and right side Walls, a top wall, a contoured bottom wall having a generally rectangular flat portion with downwardly inclined edge portions, a water inlet, and a steam outlet; heating means below said boiler for "bringing the water in said boiler to boiling temperature including an open-top burner, means within tank (and pump it'to said burner to maintain fuel therein,

and means for forcing air into said burner comprising a motor-driven blower and air duct intercommunicating with said blower and said burner; controlling means including electrical circuit means with electrical switches for independently controlling the flow of electrical energy to said blower and said fuel conveying means; and housing structure for enclosing said heating means and being adapted to support said boiler.

2. A wallpaper steamer according to claim '1 further characterized in that said controlling means includes a heat controlling device for regulating the volume of air being forced into said burner whereby the heat given off by said burner is regulated.

3. A Wallpaper steamer according to claim 1 further characterized in that said controlling means further includes temperature sensitive means for automatically interrupting the flow of electrical energy to said fuel conveying means when the water level in said boiler becomes low.

4. A wallpaper steamer according to claim 3 further characterized in that said temperature sensitive means includes a cylindrical rod which is disposed within said boiler.

5. A wallpaper steamer according to claim 4 further characterized in that said flat portion of said boiler botton wall is provided with an upwardly projecting cylindrical dome integral with said flat portion, said dome being in spaced relation above the top of said burner.

6. A wallpaper steamer according to claim 5 further characterized in that said cylindrical rod has one of its ends secured to said dome and its opposite end secured to said front end wall, said rod being in engagement with a normally-closed temperature sensitive switch, whereby when the water level in said boiler becomes low said switch opens to interrupt the flow of electrical energy to said fuel conveying means.

7. A structure according to claim 6 further characterized in that said controlling means includes a baflle plate interposed between said fiat portion and said rod to prevent boiling water from splashing upon said rod.

8. A Wallpaper steamer of improved design and compactness comprising a boiler consisting of front and rear end walls, left and right side walls, an arcuate top wall, a contoured bottom wall having a generally rectangular flat portion with downwardly inclined edge portions, said fiat portion being interrupted for portion thereof by an upwardly projecting cylindrical dome integral with said flat portion, a water inlet, and a steam outlet; boiler heating means below said boiler including an open-top burner, the top of said burner being in spaced relation below said dome, means within said boiler for conveying exahust gases from said heating means to the atmosphere, a fuel tank with an upper surface adapted to fully support said heating means, fuel conveying means adapted to receive the fuel from said tank and pump it to said burner to maintain fuel therein, and means for forcing air into said burner comprising a motor-driven blower and a horizontally disposed air duct; controlling means including elec trical circuit means with electrical switches for independently controlling the flow of electrical energy to said blower and said fuel conveying means, temperature sensitive means disposed within said chamber and secured to said dome being in operative engagement with a normally-closed switch in the electrical circuit controlling flow of electrical energy to said fuel conveying means, said temperature sensitive means being operative to open said switch to shut off flow of fuel to said burner upon '3 increase in temperature due to low water level in said boiler, and a housing structure for enclosing said boiler heating means, said housing having upper marginal edges adapted to support said boiler.

9. The Wallpaper steamer according to claim 8 further characterized in that said boiler heating means includes a heat deflecting member interposed between said housing and said boiler above said burner and below said temperature sensitive means, said deflecting member defining a channel whereby heat currents emanating from said burner are directed upwardly and rearwardly away from said temperature sensitive means.

10. The wallpaper steam according to claim 9 further characterized in that said heat deflecting member is provided with a downwardly projecting cylindrical section adapted to enclose the top portion of said burner.

11. The wallpaper steamer according to claim 10 further characterized in that said heat deflecting member is provided with a longitudinally extending flat section with upwardly and inwardly turned flange sections provided on portions of its edges.

12. A wallpaper steamer according to claim 8 further characterized in that said switch is in resilient engagement with said temperature sensitive means.

Reierences Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES IATENTS 246,231 Spencer Aug. 23, 1881 1,822,133 Doble Sept. 8, 1931 1,925,294 Wood Sept. 5, 1933 2,247,859 Purtell July 1, 1941 2,522,091 Burwell Sept. 12, 1950 

1. A WALLPAPER STEAMER OF IMPROVED DESIGN AND COMPACTNESS COMPRISING A BOILER CONSISTING OF FRONT AND REAR END WALLS, LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WALLS, A TOP WALL, A CONTOURED BOTTOM WALL HAVING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FLAT PORTION WITH DOWNWARDLY INCLINED EDGE PORTIONS, A WATER INLET, AND A STEAM OUTLET; HEATING MEANS BELOW SAID BOILER FOR BRINGING THE WATER IN SAID BOILER TO BOILING TEMPERATURE INCLUDING AN OPEN-TOP BURNER, MEANS WITHIN SAID BOILER FOR CONVEYING EXHAUST GASES FROM SAID HEATING MEANS TO THE ATMOSPHERE, A FUEL TANK WITH AN UPPER SURFACE ADAPTED TO FULLY SUPPORT SAID HEATING MEANS, FUEL CONVEYING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE FUEL FROM SAID TANK AND PUMP IT TO SAID BURNER TO MAINTAIN FUEL THEREIN, AND MEANS FOR FORCING AIR INTO SAID BURNER COMPRISING A MOTOR-DRIVEN BLOWER AND AIR DUCT INTERCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID BLOWER AND SAID BURNER; CONTROLLING MEANS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS WITH ELECTRICAL SWITCHES FOR INDEPENDENTLY CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO SAID BLOWER AND SAID FUEL CONVEYING MEANS; AND HOUSING STRUCTURE FOR ENCLOSING SAID HEATING MEANS AND BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT SAID BOILER. 